Corrective shoe device

ABSTRACT

A device for translating substantially longitudinally walking motion to rotary motion for applying a rotary corrective moment and force to a corrective shoe wherein the device includes relative longitudinally movable members one of which is attachable to a corrective shoe to rotate the same in a desired direction during the engagement of another of such members with the ground.

United States Patent Salzman Dec. 30, 1975 CORRECTIVE SHOE DEVICE [76] Inventor: Nathan Salzman, 695 Willow Road,

Franklin Square, N.Y. 11010 [22] Filed: Dec. 27, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 536,727

[52] U.S. C1. 128/583 [51] Int. C1. A431! 7/24 [58] Field of Search 128/583, 584, 83.5, 80; 36/39, 2.5 R

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,264,570 12/1941 Holden 128/8315 3,481,332 12/1969 Arnold 128/835 Glancy 128/583 Hall 128/583 Primary Examiner-John D, Yasko Attorney, Agent, or Firm Bauer, Amer & King [57] ABSTRACT A device for translating substantially longitudinally walking motion to rotary motion for applying a rotary corrective moment and force to a corrective shoe wherein the device includes relative longitudinally movable members one of which is attachable to a corrective shoe to rotate the same in a desired direction during the engagement of another of such members with the ground.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 FIG! .FIG.5

CORRECTIVE SHOE DEVICE This invention relates to a corrective shoe device. More particularly, it is directed to a device for attachment to the bottom of a shoe for correcting foot abnormalities.

Turning in of the feet or club feet is a problem that commonly occurs in infants and young children. The deformity occurs as a result of metatarsus varsus, also known as metatarsus adductus, caused by the forefoot being in an adducted position in relation to the hind foot. This is usually accompanied by internal tibial torsion or bowing of the shin bone which adds to the toeing-in appearance. If left uncorrected in an early stage, the abnormal condition may result later in toein, toe-out and/or bow legs.

In the past, attempts to correct such deformities have been made to straighten the feet of infants by applying splints as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,812,850. As the child grows, splinting is no longer practical. Hence, further treatment and correction of these conditions has been attempted by the insertion of wedges in the sole or heel of the shoe in the hope that by tilting the shoe and the foot, the foot will be thrown into the proper walking position. Such procedures have been found to apply forces at the ankles that were sometimes undesirable.

Attempts to apply rotary force to the foot during walking have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,731,323, 3,532,098, 3,481,332 and 3,470,879.

The desideratum of the present invention is to provide a device for translating the longitudinal walking motion into a desired rotary motion such that when the device is applied to a corrective shoe, a rotative moment and force will be imparted to the foot and leg to aid in correcting the abnormality without the consequent application of deleterious and undesired forces to the ankle and leg.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device that may be attached as an integral part of a corrective shoe and which transmits rotative moments and forces to the whole of the shoe when the same engages the ground to thereby rotate the shoe and apply the rotative forces directly to the foot and leg as a whole.

Still another object is to provide a device that may be attached to a corrective shoe which is capable of selectively applying a corrective moment of rotation in any desired direction to correct toe-in and toe-out foot deformations.

An object and feature of the invention resides in the unique arrangement of structural details which enables the application of rotative forces to the foot even before the sole or full bottom of the shoe has engaged the ground.

The above description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a corrective shoe with the device of the present invention incorporated therein;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the. device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the device;

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view;

FIG. 6 illustrates a modified spring; and

FIG. 7 illustrates another urging element.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 inclusive, the novel device there shown is generally identified by the numeral 10. It comprises a housing member 12 of generally cupshaped configuration having a base closure surface 14 surrounded by an encompassing longitudinally extending wall 16 that projects for a distance beyond the base and thereby defines an interior chamber within which there is adapted to be received a plunger member 18 that is also substantially cup-shaped in configuration as illustrated in the drawing.

The hollow interior of the plunger member 18 is defined by an upstanding longitudinally extending wall 20 that encloses and encompasses a cup-like chamber 22 of the plunger 18. Both the walls 16 and 20 of the two members are circular in cross-section to enable the wall 20 to be slidably positioned within and for movement relative to the wall 16 and to be thereby accommodated within the interior cup-like chamber of the housing member 12. As the description proceeds, it will be recognized that the longitudinal extent of the cuplike interiors of the members 12 and 18 may be varied.

The plunger member 18 is provided with a plurality of follower elements 24 oppositely disposed on diametrically opposed portions thereof. The followers 24 are in the form of pins, circular in cross section, that extend laterally outward from the wall 20 for a distance substantially equal to but slightly less than the thickness of the wall 16 of the housing member 12. Each of the follower elements 24 is adapted to be guided by and for relative movement within the confines of a respective cam slot 26, also oppositely disposed in diametrically opposed positions on the wall 16 of the housing member 12 for guiding engagement with the followers 24. The cam guiding means 26 are directed at an angle to the horizontal, such as a ground walking surface 28 illustrated in FIG. 1. The extent and ends of each cam slot 26 limit the arcuate extent of relative movement of the cam slots 26 and their respective followers 24 therewithin, while the opposing walls of each cam slot guides its respective follower so as to prevent its disengagement therefrom. The angular slope of the cam slots 26 relative to the horizontal will determine the speed or time in which the followers 24 and cams 26 traverse their relative rotary paths of movement.

Adapted to be positioned between the housing member 12 and the plunger member 18 when the two members are assembled in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is an urging means generally identified by the numeral 30. The urging means 30 is in the form of a spirally shaped coiled spring 32 which, when compressed between the interiors of the members 12 and 18, stores sufficient energy to cause such members to move in a direction longitudinally relatively outward and away from each other. However, when the followers 24 are engaged in their respective cams 26, the same retain the two members 12 and 18 in assembled relationship as illustrated in the drawing. The spring 32 functions to constantly urge the members 12 and 18 toward a position of relative separation. The spring 32 is yieldable under the appropriate application of downward or longitudinal pressure or force of the plunger 18 against the ground to compress andthereby permit the members 12 and 18 to move longitudinally and rotate relative to each other.

The spiral coiled spring 30, illustrated in the drawing and in the assembled device of FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, enables the same to be compressed substantially flat with each smaller turn fitting within the next larger turn. Reference is made to FIG. 6 wherein a coiled spring 34 of equal diameter is illustrated. It may be substituted for the spring 32 where the throw or relative movement of the members 12 and 18 is ofa greater extent than that of the structure employing spring 30. Similarly, FIG. 7 illustrates a further urging means generally identified by the numeral 36 which comprises an elastomeric washer shaped element having an offset domed portion 38 extending upwardly from a flange 40. When positioned between the two members 12 and 18 in substitution of the coiled spiral spring 32, the spring 36 will also urge the members toward a position of relative separation and will yield under the application of longitudinal forces to permit the members to reciprocate relative toward and away and angularly with respect to each other. In this connection, it is to be understood that although the urging means 36 has been described as an elastomeric element, it is within the purview of the present invention that the same may also be made of metallic yieldable material.

With the device 10 assembled in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the same may be attached most conveniently to the underside of a shoe generally identified by the numeral 42 in FIG. 1. For convenience of illustration, the device 10 is inserted within an opening 44 defined in the shoe heel 48 wherein the opening is of such size as to snugly accommodate and conform to the outside diameter of the wall 16 of the member 12. The completed or assembled device 10 may be glued or otherwise retained within the opening 44 of the heel of the shoe by means of screws or other securing devices, not shown.

When so secured in the heel of the shoe 42, the lowermost or exposed portion of the plunger member 18 is caused to extend outward beyond the defines of the wall 16 of the member 12 as there illustrated. This extension is produced by the urging force of the spring 32 positioned between the two members and within the interior cup-shaped chambers thereof. For convenience, the members 12 and 18 may be made of any suitable material. Thus, it has been found in practice that the member 12 may be conveniently constructed of lightweight aluminum while the plunger 18 may be made of a non-corrosive steel. However, in practice it has been found that other materials such as plastics and the like may be utilized. In this connection, however, the exposed extended bottom portion of the plunger 18 is provided conveniently with a non-skid surface 46 preferably of rubber or the like. The non-skid surface 46 may be provided with grooves to aid in affording better traction with the ground surface 28 to be engaged thereby.

In operation, as the user of the shoe 42 walks over the ground surface 28, the heel 48 thereof usually comes into contact with the ground surface first. However, when the device 10 is applied to the heel as illustrated in FIG. 1, the extended plunger 18 and its non-skid surface 46 thereof will initially engage the ground surface 28 before any other part or sole of the shoe. During such walking movement, the downward application of force or weight of the user causes the plunger 18 to engage the surface 28 first. During this initial engagement and traction between the surface 46 with surface 4 28, the plunger 18 is held from rotation, but tends to move upward longitudinally relative to the member 12.

This relative longitudinal upward movement is converted and translated into rotary motion by applying a moment to the housing member 12 and to the shoe 42 which is in a rotary direction as controlled by the direction of the cam slots 26 defined in the wall 16 of the member 12 riding down their respective followers 24. Thus, as the plunger 18 engages the ground 28, it becomes fixed relative to the ground, except that it is caused to move relatively longitudinally upward within the housing member 12. Inasmuch as the plunger 18 is fixed relative to the ground, the housing member 12 must rotate as the wall 16 and the cam slots 26 thereof move relatively downward along their respective followers 24. The angles of the cam slots 26 and their directions cause a consequent rotation of the shoe 42 and also a consequent rotation of the foot contained within the shoe, as well as the remaining tibia and fibia of the shoe wearer.

By rotating the shoe 42 upon initial contact of the plunger 18 with the ground 28 during the walking motion, the wearers foot and related anatomy will rotate in the desired direction to correct either a toe-in or a toe-out deformity. Thus, if the wearer of the shoe 42 has a toe-in condition, it is desirable to rotate the shoe in an outward direction during the walking ground engaging motion. This is accomplished in the present invention by properly directing the cam slots 26. If the wearer has a toe-out abnormality, it is desirable to direct the shoe in an inward rotary motion. This is accomplished by oppositely directing the cam surfaces 26 from that previously described.

The length of relative longitudinal and rotary movement between the members 18 and 12 of the device 10 is controlled by the length of the cam slots 26 and, therefore, the relative distance that the followers 24 are permitted to move within such cam slots. Hence, the ends of the cam slots limit the relative movements of the members 18 and 12, and in consequence, the rotative movement of the shoe relative to the ground. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the present invention is unique in the extension of the plunger 18 beyond any portion of the bottom or sole of the shoe. This feature is particularly advantageous inasmuch as it assures that even before any part of the shoe engages the ground surface, the plunger and its under surface 46 will have caused a rotary moment to be applied to the shoe to rotate the same in the desired direction before the full force of the wearer can be applied to the ground walking surface along the shoe bottom, which engagement might tend to inhibit, limit or negate the rotation of the shoe relative to such ground surface.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Although at times reference has been made to the shoe 42 as a corrective shoe, this term is intended to be used in its broadest sense as referring to any shoe having general characteristics. It is not intended to be limited to a shoe having any specific features of corrective structure.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for attachment to and rotation of a corrective shoe comprising first and second members,

one of said members being attached to a corrective shoe while the other of said members is free of the shoe,

means connecting said first and second members for relative reciprocable and rotative movements to rotate the shoe in response to the engagement of one of said members with the ground,

said connecting means including cam means on one of said members and follower means on the other of said members and guided by said cam means and means to urge said members to one relative position of reciprocation.

2. A device for a corrective shoe as in claim 1,

said urging means being between said members to cause the same to assume said one relative position of reciprocation and rotative movement and yieldable in response to the engagement of one of said members with the ground to enable the same to move to another relative position of reciprocation and relative movement.

3. A device as in claim 2,

said one of said members being attached to a corrective shoe at the heel thereof to apply a rotative force thereat,

and said other of said members depending downward from said first member for ground engagement.

4. A device as in claim 2,

said urging means being a coiled spring.

5. A device as in claim 2,

said urging means being an elastomeric element.

6. A device as in claim 1,

said cam means being at least a slot disposed at an angle to the ground engaged by said other of said members,

and said follower means being movable within the limits of said slot to limit the relative reciprocation and rotative movements of said first and second members.

7. A device for attachment to a corrective shoe comprising a housing member to be attached to a corrective shoe and having an opening extending longitudinally therewithin,

a plunger member movable longitudinally and rotatively within and relative to said housing member,

means between said plunger and housing member to yieldingly urge the same relatively longitudinally in a direction outward from each other,

connecting means on said plunger and housing members to limit their relative longitudinal outward movement whereby said plunger extends beyond said housing member and the bottom of the corrective shoe and limits their relative longitudinal inward movement in response to ground engagement of said plunger,

and said connecting means including means to apply a rotary movement to said housing member and corrective shoe to rotate the shoe when said plunger engages the ground.

8. A device as in claim 7,

said housing member having a wall surrounding said longitudinally extending opening,

and said connecting means including oppositely disposed cam slots defined in said wall at an angle to the ground and follower pins in said plunger movably guided in said guide slots whereby the ends of said slots limit the relative inward and outward movements of said members and the angle of said slots controls the direction of the relative rotation of said members.

9. A device for translating longitudinal motion for attachment to a corrective shoe to apply a corrective moment and rotary motion to the shoe during the ground engaging walking movement of the shoe wherein the same comprises a member attached to the shoe to apply a rotary force thereto,

a plunger member normally and longitudinally spaced from and movable toward and away from said attached member,

means between said members to yieldingly urge the same in their normal longitudinal spaced relation,

angularly disposed cam means on one of said members and follower means on the other of said members operable to apply the rotary force to said attched member when said. plunger engages the ground and the weight of the shoe is applied longitudinally downward to said plunger during the ground engaging walkingniovement of the shoe. 

1. A device for attachment to and rotation of a corrective shoe comprising first and second members, one of said members being attached to a corrective shoe while the other of said members is free of the shoe, means connecting said first and second members for relative reciprocable and rotative movements to rotate the shoe in response to the engagement of one of said members with the ground, said connecting means including cam means on one of said members and follower means on the other of said members and guided by said cam means and means to urge said members to one relative position of reciprocation.
 2. A device for a corrective shoe as in claim 1, said urging means being between said members to cause the same to assume said one relative position of reciprocation and rotative movement and yieldable in response to the engagement of one of said members with the ground to enable the same to move to another relative position of reciprocation and relative movement.
 3. A device as in claim 2, said one of said members being attached to a corrective shoe at the heel thereof to apply a rotative force thereat, and said other of said members dependIng downward from said first member for ground engagement.
 4. A device as in claim 2, said urging means being a coiled spring.
 5. A device as in claim 2, said urging means being an elastomeric element.
 6. A device as in claim 1, said cam means being at least a slot disposed at an angle to the ground engaged by said other of said members, and said follower means being movable within the limits of said slot to limit the relative reciprocation and rotative movements of said first and second members.
 7. A device for attachment to a corrective shoe comprising a housing member to be attached to a corrective shoe and having an opening extending longitudinally therewithin, a plunger member movable longitudinally and rotatively within and relative to said housing member, means between said plunger and housing member to yieldingly urge the same relatively longitudinally in a direction outward from each other, connecting means on said plunger and housing members to limit their relative longitudinal outward movement whereby said plunger extends beyond said housing member and the bottom of the corrective shoe and limits their relative longitudinal inward movement in response to ground engagement of said plunger, and said connecting means including means to apply a rotary movement to said housing member and corrective shoe to rotate the shoe when said plunger engages the ground.
 8. A device as in claim 7, said housing member having a wall surrounding said longitudinally extending opening, and said connecting means including oppositely disposed cam slots defined in said wall at an angle to the ground and follower pins in said plunger movably guided in said guide slots whereby the ends of said slots limit the relative inward and outward movements of said members and the angle of said slots controls the direction of the relative rotation of said members.
 9. A device for translating longitudinal motion for attachment to a corrective shoe to apply a corrective moment and rotary motion to the shoe during the ground engaging walking movement of the shoe wherein the same comprises a member attached to the shoe to apply a rotary force thereto, a plunger member normally and longitudinally spaced from and movable toward and away from said attached member, means between said members to yieldingly urge the same in their normal longitudinal spaced relation, angularly disposed cam means on one of said members and follower means on the other of said members operable to apply the rotary force to said attched member when said plunger engages the ground and the weight of the shoe is applied longitudinally downward to said plunger during the ground engaging walking movement of the shoe. 